CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) aims to institutionalize the recognition of the new breed of business leaders to inspire existing and budding entrepreneurs and further strengthen the local business community.
In celebration of its 110th anniversary, CCCI launched The Outstanding Business Young Leaders (TOBYL) search following its thrust towards pursuing young business leaders’ development programs.
CCCI past president Efren Valiente said that the young leaders will represent as the torch bearers of the business community who will propel Cebu to higher economic growth and contribute to the Philippine economy. He shared that TOBYL was dubbed from a play on a Cebuano word “tubil†which refers to “fuelâ€.
Out of 25 nominees, six were declared winners by a panel of judges chaired by Valiente.
They are Edward Vincent Onglatco of the Hyundai Cebu Group; Vito Angelo Selma of Stonesets International Inc.; Enrilen Joy Benedicto of Enrison Land Inc.; Christian Paro-an of RC Goldline Saleshop Corp.; Jason Yap of Nutech; and Katherine Cheng of Baker Bob and Kate’s Bakery Products Inc.
Onglatco banks on hardwork and dedication as his traits towards achieving excellence. Hyundai Cebu was awarded as the country’s Dealer of the Year from 2007 to 2009 and as the Asia-Pacific Dealer of the Year in 2007 and 2009.
“It’s not just selling that’s important but the customer’s overall experience in using the car,†he believes.
Selma, for his part, proudly identifies himself as a Cebuano designer even with his educational attainment acquired from international schools.
He grew from a family who has been known in the furniture industry for nearly three decades. He studied in San Francisco for three years and spent 15 months in Milan to earn his master’s diploma in industrial design from Scoula Politecnica di Design.
“Design because you want to design, not because you want to be someone,†he advised.
Meanwhile, Benedicto currently heads a new dynamic resort group that is rapidly expanding its operations in Cebu and Bohol.
Enrison Land, Inc. is known to deliver “beyond the expected†hospitality service to its local and international guests.
Paro-an is a self-made entrepreneur who founded the RC Goldline Saleshop Corporation, one of the leading wholesalers and retailers of gadgets and accessories and has been present in the telecommunication industry for the past 16 years.
He believes that the principle of active citizenship would help our society and one’s self to become better. He also encourages his personnel to always put God first. The company currently has more than 120 employees with 13 branches and 10 concept stores in Metro Cebu and Bohol.
Yap, on the other hand, began his entrepreneurial career with his goal to address the growing demand for IT and security products. He started in a small office in a family-owned building in downtown Cebu with only five employees.
It has now grown into more than fifty members handling end-user sales, corporate sales, wholesale or retail sales, CCTV installations, on-site and off-site technical support and logistics. Backed up with his strong mantra on happiness, Yap envisions the company and the people in to grow.
Before having 10 outlets in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro with over 100 employees to date, Cheng originally started from a home-based bakery with only one employee in 2002. Early in her life, she already showed entrepreneurial interest by making and selling polvoron and other food stuff during her primary school days with her brother Kelle who is also her current business partner.
She further believes that the success of Baker Bob and Kates can only be sustained by the continuous training and growth of her employees and the company in general.
The TOBYL awardees will engage themselves in activities wherein they can impart their success stories with the aim to inspire budding entrepreneurs and students to excel in their respective fields and would eventually become the next business leaders in Cebu and in the Philippines. (FREEMAN)